DynaSpark, Delteq, LTCC, or Opti-Spark

[94ppz28]

Hello all,

I am new to this board and wonder if you all can make a recommendation to guy whom Opit is dying. I would like to replace it with an aftermark solution but I am wonder few things.

1. Which one is the best?
2. Is it worth the money?
3. Or just replace it with the stock part?

The car is 94 z28 with about 77k on it. My water pump died and that is what killed it.

Thanks in advance.

[Blazer]

Welcome to the site.This is just my $o.02 s But you will be better off sticking
with stock. You can do A search in this site an get one days reading just on
optisparks.Plus there are places where you can get new ones cheap.
Good Luck Blazer

[Injuneer]

I'll take exception to the "better off sticking to stock" answer.... the Delteq and LTCC setups have confrimed that getting the high voltage function out of the Opti eliminates most of the problems associated with the Opti. Several of us didn't need the Delteq or the LTCC to come to that conclusion... a buddy of mine used that approach in 1998, and I copied it in 2000 on my stroker buildup, using the Opti only for the cam and (pseudo) crank position sensor, and letting an aftermarket ECU drive 8 LS1-style coils in direct fire mode. That's 9 cumulative years of experience, with no problems whatsoever, on engines making 800-1,125HP.

Replacements are not "cheap".... his 94 has the unvented design, running about $300 through the deep-discount online GM parts dealers like Cromer and Slabaugh. Converting to the better "vented" design would cost him a lot more.

One note for "94ppz28" - the Delteq and LTCC require a healthy Opti optical sensor. If your Opti is dying, you might need to replace the entire unit, to insure you don't have a worn bearing, rust blinding the optical sensor, or some other non-cap/rotor problem.

My personal preference would be for the LTCC, just because it uses the 8 coil setup. I just don't like the "waste-spark" 4-coil setups that much. I tried one in 1998, with the Electromotive SDI/Opti-Eliminator, and it had a problem or two that seem to be recurring in the Delteq setup. At least one individual has been involved in both projects, so I'm a little wary of the situation. Nothing inherently wrong with waste-spark systems, they work great on the Turbo Buicks, Northstar, etc. Just seems like some sort of bug in the Opti interface or something that will occasionally cause the entire system to shut down for an instant. Have only seen a couple of reports like that on the Delteq, but the similarity to my E'motive experience worries me.

[94ppz28]

So where to fine cheap Opti..

So can anyone point me or provide me those phone number for those cheap OPti places?

Thanks

[Injuneer]

Dal Slabaugh
VanDevere Olds
800-362-9494
lockitup@bright.net

Jason Cromer
Sam Taylor Buick
877-726-8295
staylorservice@cybertron.com

gmpartsdirect.com
(watch out for the shipping on this one)

[Z Ya Later]

Would the Dyna-Spark be a good way to go when my Opti dies? Has there been any bad news associated to it?

[94ppz28]

Here is Dyna-Spark web site. From what I can tell it is better than LTCC or Delqi. But I have no facts to back that up.

http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm


Has one on the board used this?

Also a stock opti from AutoZone or Advance good or bad idea?

Also I went to
Dal Slabaugh
VanDevere Olds
800-362-9494
lockitup@bright.net

website and it looks like a stock opti is 540 is that correct or am I not looking in the correct stop?

[Joe 1320]

Here is Dyna-Spark web site. From what I can tell it is better than LTCC or Delqi. But I have no facts to back that up.

Not having the facts to back it up was a wise comment. Since you Ignored Fred's advice, perhaps I can clarify it for you. The optical portion of the opti is a fairly decent part. It has been used in one form or another on various manufacturer's cars. The high voltage section (which is still the same design as in the Dyna Spark) is what causes people grief. It is also located in a bad spot so that if the engine gets wet from either cleaning, hitting a large enough puddle or a leaking water pump, the opti fries. Chalk it up to putting it in a bad location. Also, plug wire routing and installation is a PITA, the coil is also a weak spot as coil charging and discharge weakens over 4000 rpm... so you compensate by adding an MSD which, if you turn over 6000 rpm , the cap and rotor tends to fry. With the Bailey or Delteq Multiple coils for better charging and discharge, no more fried caps and rotors, better plug wire access, less chance of water contamination......

You wanted facts, you have them. The removing the high voltage from the opti and using a Bailey or Delteq is the better idea. That's what GM did with the LS1. Are you saying they should have stayed with the opti?

I didn't think so.

IMHO, the auto parts cap and rotors aren't the way to go. If someone is intent on keeping the optispark, a complete plug and play GM unti is the way to go. The Dyna Spark may be a better option, but it's still the same flawed design. If you read the ad right on their own page, it says: Maybe the last one you'll buy. That doesn't sound very comforting to me. Especially for the dough they charge.

[Injuneer]

Here is Dyna-Spark web site. From what I can tell it is better than LTCC or Delqi. But I have no facts to back that up.

http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm

You still don't seem to understand the basic differences between the Dynaspark on one hand and the Delteq or LTCC on the other. Comparing them and saying one is better is sort of like comparing apples to bowling balls.

The Dynaspark is a "fancy" Optispark. It functions EXACTLY the same as the stock Opti. It is built using upgraded components..... a billet case, better seals, maybe a better bearing. But it is still an Optispark distributor and it still works the same, and does not change your ignition system's function in any way. It is simply "built better".

The Delteq and the LTCC totally revise many functions within the LT1 ignition system. Both systems use ONLY the high and low res pulse signals from the Otpi optical sensor. They do not use the high voltage functions of the cap/rotor. In fact, many people delete the rotor when using the Delteq or the LTCC, because of the feeling the rotor will disintegrate at high RPM. The Delteq or LTCC adds a "black box" that feeds the pulse signal to the stock PCM. The PCM then feeds back to the "black box" the signal to fire the coil, and the "black box" helps direct the spark to the correct coil - since the Delteq replaces the stock one coil system with a 4-coil "waste spark" setup, and the LTCC replaces the stock one coil system with 8 LS1-style coils, in direct fire mode.

You simply can not begin to compare a Dynaspark to either the Delteq or LTCC systems. Simply by increasing the number of coils in the system, you have increased the dwell time available to charge the coil, and increased the strength of the ignition system. That's really not going to help a relatively "stock" LT1.... the stock system works fine if and when the Opti is healthy. But for a performance setup.... and I've given you the example of an 1,125HP 383 LT1 running 20+ # of boost turning OVER 8,000rpm, the Opti optical sensor and the 8 LS1-style coils provided a faultless ignition system.... somehting the stock Opti would be very hard pressed to do.

When you contact Dal Slabaugh, you need to tell him you are with one of the F-Body bulleting boards, and he will quote you the best price. What you appear to have found is the GM "list" price.

[94ppz28]

Hey guys I just want to say thank you.

To be honest I was a little unclear and I know understand the difference. Also with your explanations I believe I have figured out my correct course of action. I believe for my application I will stay with the stock opti.

I have to say again thank you for your patient and your insight.

[Z Ya Later]

1 big question from me...is either 50-state legal? That's about the only thing (besides price lol) that holds me back from getting either the Delteq or the LTCC. Thanks also guys.

[Injuneer]

Unless a manufacturer specifically states it is "50-state legal" and supplies a CARB-EO number for the part, its not likely that it is. A big company like MSD can afford to certify their systems - the 6-series boxes come with a sticker that has the EO number. I doubt the small shops like Bob Bailey (LLTC) or Delteq have the resources to get certification.

In general, as long as the part doesn't worsen the emissions, its not going to be detectable, except to the most discerning eye. Unfortunately, the coils of the Delteq or the LTCC would have to be hidden fairly well to escape notice during a visual inspection by a knowledgable inspector.

My Formula passed NJ rolling emissions, but no one really looked that closely at anything. They put it on the dyno, and it passed. The guy who did the inspection knew it was a performance engine, and had dual cats (illegal!! - my car only came from the factory with one), but he felt as long as it passed the rolling emissions test, and as long as he was able to visually verify that the car actually had a cat, he had done his job. That was 4 years ago.

Unfortunately, even this level of "cooperation" has disappeared in NJ, because of the rigged cars that are taken to independant inspection shops by the DMV, and the NJDMV "mobile" inspection stations that set up on the side of the road and pull cars over for a full dyno emissions check and a full visual check by VERY knowledgable inspectors. The shop that has been found to pass a car that shouldn't have passed can net the shop owner 6 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

[Z Ya Later]

Unless a manufacturer specifically states it is "50-state legal" and supplies a CARB-EO number for the part, its not likely that it is. A big company like MSD can afford to certify their systems - the 6-series boxes come with a sticker that has the EO number. I doubt the small shops like Bob Bailey (LLTC) or Delteq have the resources to get certification.

In general, as long as the part doesn't worsen the emissions, its not going to be detectable, except to the most discerning eye. Unfortunately, the coils of the Delteq or the LTCC would have to be hidden fairly well to escape notice during a visual inspection by a knowledgable inspector.

My Formula passed NJ rolling emissions, but no one really looked that closely at anything. They put it on the dyno, and it passed. The guy who did the inspection knew it was a performance engine, and had dual cats (illegal!! - my car only came from the factory with one), but he felt as long as it passed the rolling emissions test, and as long as he was able to visually verify that the car actually had a cat, he had done his job. That was 4 years ago.

Unfortunately, even this level of "cooperation" has disappeared in NJ, because of the rigged cars that are taken to independant inspection shops by the DMV, and the NJDMV "mobile" inspection stations that set up on the side of the road and pull cars over for a full dyno emissions check and a full visual check by VERY knowledgable inspectors. The shop that has been found to pass a car that shouldn't have passed can net the shop owner 6 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

And in that lies my problem. If you think NJ is bad, try CA. Ever since Smog II started back in 2003, its been a pain just to get a car smogged when there was nothing to worry about...procedure takes to friggen long. So, the DynaTech unit would be a good way to go to hide the unit and still have something better than the OEM Opti? I would love to have the Delteq or LTCC units, but can't afford to switch back every 2 yrs. when I need to smog.